My days are going well and I'm not going to lie, this does make it better.

That article is all based on Marc Stein's comment from ESPN Weekend Dime. Any reference to Lowry in the piece is not quoted or attributed to any 'source'. It is pure speculation by Stein. Trading Lowry (who cost the Raps a 1st round pick) is ludicrous. From a basketball perspective, the Raps would be better off to just amnesty Bargnani this summer and use the cap space to lure another player. For the sake of an example, lets use Paul Millsap. Would you rather: trade Lowry-i.e. 1st round pick/Bargnani to Utah for Millsap who may bolt in free agency anyways or would you rather keep Lowry, amnesty Bargnani, throw Bargnani's $$ at Millsap? Keep in mind Millsap can be substituted for any other player.

I agree that including Lowry in any trade scenario when we just gave up a 1st Rd pick to get him is just a complete waste. Though, I'm not sure if amnestying (sp?) Bargnani is the answer. I'd much rather have a trade that includes picks coming back to us. We would have to try to sell Bargnani to mid-lower tier teams I think.

I hear Jamison isn't happy with his playing time in the Lakers. We could possibly make a trade for him (or Gasol). Would be difficult since Jamison is only getting paid the vet's minimum. I don't think he'll find time here anyway, unless we give up some of our wings.

including Lowry in trades is BC attempting to land a Big Time SF ala Deng/Gay/Iggy/Granger?/JSmoove? someone along those lines.. I doubt BC is stupid enough to include Lowry just to dump Bargs for some scrubs..Dude moved Turkeydoo for a usefull part when everyone said Turk was untradable.

Trading Lowry (who cost the Raps a 1st round pick) is ludicrous. From a basketball perspective, the Raps would be better off to just amnesty Bargnani this summer and use the cap space to lure another player. For the sake of an example, lets use Paul Millsap. Would you rather: trade Lowry-i.e. 1st round pick/Bargnani to Utah for Millsap who may bolt in free agency anyways or would you rather keep Lowry, amnesty Bargnani, throw Bargnani's $$ at Millsap? Keep in mind Millsap can be substituted for any other player.

IF a trade involving Lowry is being considered, I'll be very surprised if the return does not make up for what he costed. Millsap wouldn't be acquired if he doesn't sign an extension. Just for example.

How about Bargnani for Royce White and a player or draft pick. (Not sure what it would take to make salaries match)

isaacthompson wrote:

Major problems with him and the D-League situation lately with his anxiety...maybe don't want to put up with him.

give us white, t.jones and this years first rounder and done in a second. immediately suspend royce white for conduct detrimental to the team.
**i'm guessing this hasn't been done yet because the team might feel he has a discrimination suit against them if they do so might not be an option. however to me white signing the contract leads me to believe he knew exactly what he was getting into and should have to man up.

How about Bargnani for Royce White and a player or draft pick. (Not sure what it would take to make salaries match)

isaacthompson wrote:

Major problems with him and the D-League situation lately with his anxiety...maybe don't want to put up with him.

give us white, t.jones and this years first rounder and done in a second. immediately suspend royce white for conduct detrimental to the team.
**i'm guessing this hasn't been done yet because the team might feel he has a discrimination suit against them if they do so might not be an option. however to me white signing the contract leads me to believe he knew exactly what he was getting into and should have to man up.

Of course I'd want draft picks and/or expiring contracts but this is Bryan Colangelo we are talking about. When he was the GM in Phoenix he did go out and get additional first round picks, but has *never* done that in Toronto.

Plus we have a coach that hates playing rookies... I think the most likely situation is that we replace Bargnani with another vet who has 2-3 years left on his contract.

At this point I'd be happy with a backup center (JV is getting eaten up alive), a stud wing (but that's unlikely) or a starting caliber PF to replace Bargnani and to move Davis back to the second unit.

Packaging him up with Lowry is insane unless we get a perennial all-star back (a player such as Love, Aldridge, Rondo, etc) which is not happening.

I think what Matt is trying to say is that if we could trade Bargnani in a package for Millsap or any other player who would be a free agent in the off season, why wouldn't we just amnesty him and use that cap space to sign said player instead of having to include other players/assets to make the trade work. Which I fully support btw.

I think what Matt is trying to say is that if we could trade Bargnani in a package for Millsap or any other player who would be a free agent in the off season, why wouldn't we just amnesty him and use that cap space to sign said player instead of having to include other players/assets to make the trade work. Which I fully support btw.

Thank you for the translation!

That is exactly what I was saying.

It makes no sense to give up any assets to trade Bargnani from a BASKETBALL perspective. A financial perspective is a much different story but unless the finances relate to a basketball advantage, I don't care if MLSE swallows $23M on Bargnani.

Id have no problem with Bargs amnestied accept for the fact that if there are possible trades out there that give us a decent return then i wouldnt. The amnesty is a trade chip and by that i mean we could trade for a bad contract and a high pick packaged together and would be able to get rid of the over paid player. It gives us more "flexibility." Im not saying it would be a bad idea to use on Bargs, but it sounds like there is some interest around the league in him. My realistic hope is to get a 2014 first round pick and hopefully a role bench PF or C, because if there was another front court injury we could be in a bit of trouble.

A side note, imo 2014 mid to late (14-20ish) pick is just as good as a late lottery in 2013...

Id have no problem with Bargs amnestied accept for the fact that if there are possible trades out there that give us a decent return then i wouldnt. The amnesty is a trade chip and by that i mean we could trade for a bad contract and a high pick packaged together and would be able to get rid of the over paid player. It gives us more "flexibility." Im not saying it would be a bad idea to use on Bargs, but it sounds like there is some interest around the league in him. My realistic hope is to get a 2014 first round pick and hopefully a role bench PF or C, because if there was another front court injury we could be in a bit of trouble.

A side note, imo 2014 mid to late (14-20ish) pick is just as good as a late lottery in 2013...

Bold: Yes, clearly this is a much better alternative. The premise of amnesty discussion was no such deal was available. Apologies if that was not clear.

Underlined: That is not how the amnesty works. Teams can only use the amnesty on players that were under contract prior to the lockout. You cannot trade for a player and use the amnesty on him. You can buy him out but he'll still count towards your cap and you'll still have to pay him. Only players Raps can use amnesty on are Bargnani, Kleiza, and Amir.

In an ideal world amnestying Bargs would be the way to go, but the bar for free agents looking Toronto's way is set at Hedo. If we can finish this season strong you may get a couple other free agents looking our way, but realistically a player like Milsap will probably want to play for a winning team first and then an American team in the same situation as the Raptors second.

I'd be more than happy if BC can actually court a prime free agent, but seeing as how he hasn't been able to do that in the years he's been here my vote has to go for the trade route. BC can clear all the cap space in the world, but it's not going to mean anything if you can attract players.

In an ideal world amnestying Bargs would be the way to go, but the bar for free agents looking Toronto's way is set at Hedo. If we can finish this season strong you may get a couple other free agents looking our way, but realistically a player like Milsap will probably want to play for a winning team first and then an American team in the same situation as the Raptors second.

I'd be more than happy if BC can actually court a prime free agent, but seeing as how he hasn't been able to do that in the years he's been here my vote has to go for the trade route. BC can clear all the cap space in the world, but it's not going to mean anything if you can attract players.

Approaching the new super luxury tax world, it has never been more true that salary cap space can be used for more than free agents. Raps can take on significant salary in a trade.

Now I've been saying this for the better part of 2 years and it has proved to be an exercise in futility so who is to say that will not continue.